Staff Pick

A heart-rending narrative about displacement and the struggle to define "home" disguised as cute animal story. A favorite across the world for generations of readers, and for good reason. Bring a hankie.Recommended by M.A.S., Powells.com

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

One of the most acclaimed, best-loved novels of the 20th century, here is the remarkable epic adventure of courage and survival, as a hardy band of rabbits flee the destruction of their fragile community to face overwhelming adversity in pursuit of a glorious dream called "home".

Review:

Review:

About the Author

Richard Adams is the author of many bestselling novels, including Watership Down, Shardik, The Plague Dogs, The Girl in a Swing, Maia, and Traveller, as well as several works of nonfiction, including his autobiographical The Day Gone By.

What Our Readers Are Saying

Average customer rating based on 9 comments:

SnowRaven, October 15, 2014 (view all comments by SnowRaven)
A very nice classic. I have read many animal fantasy novels (such as Warriors by Erin Hunter) that have been said to be influenced by this book, and now I can see the connections. The rabbits in this novel do seem very human and personified, though, which leads me to believe that this book is an allegory for something. However, when I try to find out, there does not seem to be one solid meaning for the novel other than that it is just a story about rabbits and survival. At first I thought this was just a children's book, but it is actually quite intellectual and a long read. I recommend this book to everyone who is able to stick through books even through boring times, because in my opinion this book does not get "spicy" until towards the end.

sharrona, February 3, 2013 (view all comments by sharrona)
Can't say enough good about this book. It's entertaining on several levels -- the lives of a community of rabbits, and the allegory to human society. Was made into a pretty decent movie, too. Part of my lifetime permanent library; I'll read it again and again.

nrlymrtl, August 15, 2012 (view all comments by nrlymrtl)
Lots of fuzzy bunnies. They’ve got ambitions, bad dreams, prerogatives. Watership Down starts off with one rabbit that has been blessed with the gift of foresight having a bad feeling and that is why he and those who will follow must leave the warren. A handful of connies set out, not really knowing where they are going nor really why, except Fiver has a vague, deep feeling of dread towards the warren.

Soon Fiver is proved right and we learn of the doom of the home warren. The rabbits have made it to a new warren, very laid-back, breakfast served every day by humans. Fiver and Hazel and crew consider staying for a while. However, soon Fiver is expressing his concerns and fears and the hares must move on after a nasty encounter with a wire trap.

I enjoyed how the rabbits had their own mythology and stories. There are several segues into these tales and they were instructive and imaginative. While there were few female characters, probably because they came into the story late, they are considered integral in sustaining the new warren.

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A heart-rending narrative about displacement and the struggle to define "home" disguised as cute animal story. A favorite across the world for generations of readers, and for good reason. Bring a hankie.

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